Hattie Carnegie (1886-1956) was an American fashion designer and businesswoman who made significant contributions to the fashion industry during the mid-20th century. Born as Henrietta Kanengeiser in Vienna, Austria, on August 15, 1886, she later immigrated to the United States with her family and settled in New York City.
Biography
Carnegie began her career in the fashion industry by working as a milliner, designing and selling hats. In 1909, she opened her first boutique, Carnegie-Ladies Hatter, which specialized in women’s hats. Her talent and a keen eye for fashion quickly gained recognition, and her business expanded to include clothing and accessories.
During the 1920s, Hattie Carnegie embraced the growing trend of ready-to-wear fashion and established herself as a prominent fashion designer. She opened her eponymous fashion house, Hattie Carnegie, in 1922. The boutique offered a wide range of clothing, from daywear to evening gowns, and was known for its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Carnegie’s designs catered to affluent women who sought stylish and elegant garments. She was known for incorporating luxurious fabrics, intricate embellishments, and innovative silhouettes into her designs. Her creations were often inspired by European couture fashion, particularly the works of designers like Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli.
Threatened by the 1929 stock market crash, Carnegie launched a ready-to-wear line by talented young designers or copied from French originals. The firm also produced costume jewellery. Her designers succeeded, including Norman Norell from 1928, Pauline Trigére in the 1930s, Claire McCardell from 1939, and Halston in the 1950s.
Works
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL
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